These tablets are frequently used for the symptomatic treatment of nasal congestion in colds, often in combination with other active ingredients such as paracetamol. However, (pseudo-)ephedrine is not recommended in any guidelines for the treatment of colds, points out the FAMHP. Its use is associated with potentially serious adverse effects (including cardiovascular, neurological and psychiatric). Some of these risks are unpredictable and not dose-related, adds the federal agency.
The over-the-counter availability also led to an increase in the use of the drug, underlines the FAMHP.
Financial compensation for Belgians
People experiencing a prolonged outage of the internet or telephone network can, from today, request (small) compensation from telecom operators.
Operators must now compensate customers affected by the interruption for more than eight hours of a public electronic communications service, such as the internet or telephone. This measure applies to both fixed and mobile services. Prepaid card users can also receive compensation if they request it.
Compensation starts at one euro after the first 16 hours of outage and increases every day, unless it is a case of force majeure for the operator (breakdown linked to a natural disaster for example).
The operator may also offer another form of compensation, such as free services. The compensation will be readjusted each year according to the consumer price index.
You can freely choose your modem
Internet connection users are no longer required to purchase their modem from their operator when taking out an internet subscription from November 1. Modems and routers are in fact part of the user’s terminal equipment, who can therefore choose them freely for broadband and internet telephony, according to a decision taken by the Belgian Institute of Postal Services and Telecommunications (IBPT ).
The aim of the measure is to increase competition in the telecommunications market and allow the user to choose a more durable device or one offering additional functionalities, for example in terms of security.
Television services are not affected by this decision because BIPT considers it unlikely that an alternative TV decoder will be developed due to low market demand. Users will therefore have to continue to use that of the operator. Conventional telephone communications and services with higher quality levels, such as non-residential services, are also excluded from the measurement.
In its decision taken in October last year, BIPT ordered operators to make the necessary IT adaptations to allow end users to be able to connect their own equipment to the network within twelve months, i.e. from this November 1, 2024.
This change endorsed by the BIPT is part of a dynamic at the level of the European Union, which has already mentioned the principle of the user’s choice of its terminal equipment in several directives and regulations.
Currently, around ten European countries, including Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, already allow customers to freely choose their modem.
A vaccine for cattle
From November, Belgian farmers can vaccinate their cattle against the epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus. The Hepizovac vaccine has been approved for use by the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP).
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is a viral disease that is transmitted via the bites of certain mosquitoes. Affected animals show symptoms similar to those suffering from bluetongue, also called bluetongue disease.
There is currently no outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Belgium. The authorities note, however, that this disease is approaching the Belgian borders. The vaccine is the only effective way to prevent it.
Vaccination is carried out on a voluntary basis. The epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus vaccine will become compulsory in 2025, only for cattle.
Border controls
From November 1 and until the end of April 2025, France has decided to reestablish filter controls at its borders, as part of measures aimed at strengthening internal security and combating illegal immigration. A measure which will therefore affect Belgian citizens, but also Luxembourg, German, Swiss and Spanish citizens.
Announced by Prime Minister Michel Barnier on The checkpoints, 20 of which will be set up on an ad hoc basis, will notably concern the towns of Mouscron, Tournai and Menin on the Belgian side.
